Kovalainen satisfied with winter work

Renault test driver Heikki Kovalainen talks about the team's preparations
ahead of the first rendez-vous of the 2006 season.
Heikki Kovalainen.
Photo by xpb.cc.
Q: Heikki, you completed the winter testing programme this week in ...

Renault test driver Heikki Kovalainen talks about the team's preparations
ahead of the first rendez-vous of the 2006 season.

Heikki Kovalainen.

Photo by xpb.cc.

Q: Heikki, you completed the winter testing programme this week in Valencia.
What are your feelings about this winter campaign?

Heikki Kovalainen: Everything went very well. I felt good in the car straight away. The R26
has been very reliable, easy to drive and reacted well to the different set
up changes we had to test. We made good progress on the package whose
foundations were very strong even before the first tests on track last
January.

I think we should be very satisfied with our performances this
winter. It is now time for us to compare ourselves in race conditions to our
competitors, who have also done a lot of running.

Q: Regarding what happened during the winter, how do you imagine the race of
Bahrain next week?

HK: The fight will be tight, that's sure. I think both Renault cars are very
strong. Our engine is reliable and Michelin tyres performed well this
winter, so I think we have a real chance for the first race. I believe we
all will be very disappointed if we are not fighting for the win in Bahrain
because the R26/RS26 package is ready!

Q: And you, how are you preparing for the first GP as it will be you first race
of the season as official third driver of the Renault F1 Team?

HK: I just try to continue my fitness training to keep myself in good shape
because I have to be able to drive the car if needed. But I mainly want to
continue learning from the team and see how the race team works. It will be
hard to see the other drivers on the track but it is part of my job and I
accept it.

Q: What will be your programme for the next few weeks?

HK: I will be pretty busy, I have to say. I will go to Bahrain and Malaysia
then I will come back to Europe to take part in testing in Paul Ricard.
Before going to Australia for the third GP, I will travel via Japan for a
promotional event with our sponsor Mild Seven and then from Melbourne, I
will go back to Paul Ricard to continue our development programme. Do you
follow?!